from Donna Edwards:
My heart breaks for Baltimore.
For the mother who lost a son, for families touched by violence, and for all of our communities who once again were faced with a tragic death -- and no answers.
Our nation cannot move forward without a true national conversation that involves race, jobs, economic inequality and a respect for human dignity, especially in policing. Unfortunately, our attention is drawn to unacceptable police practices only when they’re captured on video or an incident is too sickening to ignore.
Meanwhile, on our streets, young black men and women bear the psychological, emotional and economic scars created when the most ordinary activity is suspect.
Baltimore has been a stark reminder of the truths too many mothers face every day. We need mothers’ voices heard loud and clear if we are going to really solve the problems in our communities, not just move on and wait for the next tragedy.
Our voices make the conversation real, and our communities stronger.
I wrote in today’s Washington Post about why mothers’ voices are needed as we move forward to solve the problems in our communities. I hope you can read my Op-Ed and please share with your friends.
Read my Op-Ed in the Washington Post here.
Thank you, and please reach out with any ideas you have for what we can do to move forward.
Donna
P.S. If you are looking to help or donate to organizations on the ground in Baltimore, here are a few ways to get involved.
How to help: Donation and volunteer opportunities in the aftermath of riots
By Rachel Cieri The Baltimore Sun contact the reporter
How you can help: Donation and volunteer opportunities in the wake of violence over Freddie Gray's death.
In the aftermath Monday's riots and fires, Baltimore volunteers are coming out in force looking for ways to help. Here are just few ways to contribute your time, money or resources:
Call 311: The Baltimore Department of Public Works announced a new 311 category to direct citizens to opportunities to clean up.
Volunteers can call 311 to help with clean-up efforts
Volunteers can call 311 to help with clean-up efforts
Yvonne Wenger
Volunteers who want to help Baltimore's clean-up efforts should call 311, officials said Tuesday.
Volunteers who want to help Baltimore's clean-up efforts should call 311, officials said Tuesday. ( Yvonne Wenger )
